Q4 Duke Energy Activities in Monroe County

Bloomington Ops Center Employees & Retirees

Here are some ways we have invested in the Monroe County community during the fourth quarter of 2023. Thank you for your leadership through the past year. Looking forward to a great 2024!

Bloomington Reliability Project - Construction of the new planned transmission line in Bloomington wrapped up in December and the line is now energized. Distribution crews are finishing up transferring lines to the new poles, which should be completed in January along with final restoration efforts. The 3.3-mile transmission corridor project will provide a continuous, enhanced reliable flow of energy for the growing Bloomington community. Special thanks to the City of Bloomington, Monroe County, Convention Center, Indiana University, and IU Credit Union for assistance in coordinating schedules and locations for materials and equipment during the project.

Bloomington 11th Street Substation Mural Project – The Duke Energy Foundation provided a $25,000 grant to the City of Bloomington for a mural project at the 11th Street Substation. Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton and city officials unveiled the artists’ design during a ceremony at the 11th Street Substation. Work on the mural will begin in spring and will include a community paint day.

Wheeler Mission – The Duke Energy Foundation provided a $10,000 grant to Wheeler Mission to support Bloomington’s Housing Assistance Program. The program helps clients obtain birth certificates, ID cards, certifications/apprenticeships and other items needed to successfully obtain housing. Wheeler Mission also provides emergency shelter and meals to those experiencing homelessness.

Hoosier Trails Council – The Duke Energy Foundation provided a $7500 grant to the Boy Scouts of America Hoosier Trails Council for a Cub Scout STEM Outreach Program. The program works with community partners like the Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCAs, or other after-school programs to provide STEM focused program aid including curriculum, supplies, and staff training. The STEM program targets under-privileged families within the Council’s 18-county region.

MCCSC Farm Field Trip – Third graders from Monroe County Community School Corporation learned about sustainable farming practices with assistance from a $2,000 Duke Energy Foundation grant. Students spent a day at Marble Hill Farms where they learned about farm animals, soil conservation, nutrition, and locally produced food. The program was also supported by the Purdue Extension and Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation.

IU Athletics – Duke Energy sponsored IU’s Football program in 2023 and was the featured sponsor for the IU/Michigan State game in November. The sponsorships included displays and radio messaging featuring Duke Energy’s Share the Light program. At the IU/Michigan State game, Duke Energy Indiana State President Stan Pinegar presented the game ball to Eddy Riou of South Central Indiana Community Action Program, our Share the Light local partner agency.

Winter Lights December Nights – Duke Energy Foundation provided a $2500 grant to support the City of Bloomington’s Winter Lights December Nights program taking place at Switchyard Park. The holiday lights are on display all month. The annual event kicked off with food trucks, music, ugly sweater fun run, a candy cane hunt for children and a dog treat hunt. In addition, the program is raising awareness for food insecurity by offering a collection barrel for Hoosier Hills Food Bank

Hoosiers Outrun Cancer – Duke Energy sponsored the 2023 Hoosiers Outrun Cancer event in Monroe County and had several employees participate in the race. All proceeds raised for the event go toward providing support services for those impacted by cancer. Support includes counseling, health and wellness classes, therapy, social activities, and events.
 
Edgewood Dollars for Scholars – Duke Energy sponsored the Edgewood Dollars for Scholars 5K run/walk and scholarship program.  The mission of the all-volunteer not-for-profit is to increase scholarships available for Edgewood High School students. Last year, Dollars for Scholars awarded close to $60,000 in local scholarships.
 
Buddy Walk – Duke Energy sponsored Monroe County’s Buddy Walk to raise money and awareness for Downs Syndrome. Funds raised will support local services such as community outreach, education events, new parent information packets and other services for families.

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Hope for the Holidays – Duke Energy sponsored New Hope for Families “Hope for the Holidays” annual holiday tree festival and charity auction. This fundraiser showcases decorated holiday trees, donated by local businesses and community groups. More than 50 trees were on display for the public to view and purchase outright or bid on during a live auction. Proceeds from the event will benefit local families impacted by homelessness.
 
Bloomington Chamber– Duke Energy sponsored the Bloomington Chamber’s Community Conversations: Bridging Perspectives Businesses & Services Providers event. Duke Energy also sponsored the Bloomington Chamber’s Women in Leadership: Combatting Imposter Syndrome event and the Bloomington Chamber/Bloomington Rotary Futurecast Economic Outlook event featuring panelists from IU’s Kelley School of Business.
 
Bloomington Boys and Girls Club – Duke Energy sponsored the Bloomington Boys and Girls Club Boys to Men event, featuring several well-known local leaders including Carl Cook of Cook Medical and Carry Curry of Curry Auto. The event highlighted the club’s mentoring program for young men while raising $220,000 to support program costs for close to 200 youths.  The Boys to Men program is a group-focused program that includes community service, field trips, and mentoring.
 
EMA Grant – The Duke Energy Foundation provided a $5,500 grant to Monroe County Emergency Management Agency to purchase weather radios for county residents who may not have access to reliable weather alert systems.

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Duke it Out Pitch Competition – The Duke Energy Foundation provided a $2500 grant to support Ivy Tech Bloomington’s “Duke it Out” Pitch Competition. The competition featured a cohort of students from Ivy Tech’s Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship who developed business concepts to solve a community problem and pitched the idea at the event. Monetary prizes were awarded to the top three contestants. Duke Energy’s Government & Community Relations Manager Liz Irwin served as a judge in this year’s competition.
 
Climate Resiliency Pitch Competition – The Duke Energy Foundation provided a $2500 grant to support The Dimension Mill’s Pitch Competition, which included a new category this year focusing on climate resiliency. Contestants shared business ideas that address climate change and support climate resiliency. The competition also featured pitches for a variety of other business ideas. Duke Energy’s Government & Community Relations Manager Liz Irwin served as a judge in this year’s competition.

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Ellettsville Chamber Award – The Ellettsville Chamber of Commerce recognized Duke Energy’s Bloomington Operations team with the Chamber Excellence Award for Large Business. The award highlighted the team’s efforts to keep the lights on for a school play during a planned outage to replace underground wiring. The chamber also acknowledged the level of service, infrastructure investments, engagement, and Foundation support as reasons for the award. Edgewood Junior High School students created a video highlighting the team.

Duke Energy Hiring Apprentice Lineworkers – Duke Energy will hold an information session on Wednesday, January 3 from 6:30pm – 8:00 p.m. for those interested in learning about upcoming lineworker job opportunities at multiple Indiana locations including Bloomfield/Loogootee, Bloomington, Columbus, Martinsville, Terre Haute and more. Click here to register for this event. Job posting will go live on Friday, January 5, 2024, at duke-energy.com/careers (Requisition ID: R29502)
 
Duke Energy Bill Assistance – In November, Duke Energy announced more than $425,000 in energy bill assistance for the company’s Share the Light Fund to help Hoosier families facing financial hardship. Qualifying Duke Energy customers can receive up to a $300 account credit annually. Individuals should contact their local community action agency to see if they are eligible. Duke Energy offers other tools and resources to help customers take control of their energy use and save money. To learn more about these programs, visit duke-energy.com/HereToHelp.
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EV Programs – Duke Energy offers several EV solutions for Indiana business customers. You can learn more about these programs by clicking on the links below:
Charger Solution - Provides the option to lease chargers for a fixed monthly rate
Commercial Charger Rebate - One-time rebate for commercial customers installing chargers at least (4) L2 chargers.
Fleet Advisory - Analyzes customer fleet data and provides a customized road map to electrification.

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